Toyota Furia Concept Previews 2014 Toyota Corolla: Detroit Auto Show

If the 2013 Detroit Auto Show has been rather light on truly green vehicles, concepts previewing the replacement of bread and butter models have been much more exciting.

One of those is the Toyota Furia Concept, paving the way for the 2014 Toyota Corolla compact car.

Corollas aren't often vehicles to get animated over, but on looks alone the next generation of Toyota's biggest seller could be one to wait for.

“The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” hinted Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, adding the car "...will surprise a lot of people."

He isn't wrong there. Taking styling cues from other recent Toyota concepts, the Furia's deep grille, four-square stance and wide light band spanning the front end imply much more dynamism than the current car.

The look is confident but still clearly a vehicle from the Toyota stable. From the front three-quarters it has the look of a hatchback, yet the Furia is a sedan--and the rear end features the same athletic, squat appearance that has recently infused Lexus production models.

Front and rear lights are laced with LEDs, and the concept has carbon fiber accents on wheel wells, rocker panels and rear valance, none of which is likely to make production.

The interior and drivetrains are, as yet, a mystery--but if this is the future of the Corolla, then it's already a vehicle to look forward to.